Photographic-print washer.



No. 715,908. PatentedDec. I6, |902.

' A. VAN HOORN.

PHIJTQGBAPHIC PRINT WASHER.

(Appliation'led Knr. 11, 1901,:

(No Model.)

His fiar/5u UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT VAN HOORN, OE OLDHAM, ENGLAND.

PHOTOGRAPHIC-PRINT WASHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters 'Patent No. 715,908, dated December 16, 1902. Application filed March 11, 1901. SeIial'No. 50,754. (No model.)

T0 all whom, it muy concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT VAN HOORN, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Oldham, in the county of Lancaster, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Photographic-PrintY Washers, (for which I have applied for a patent in Great Britain, No. 18,662, dated October 19, 1900,) of which the following is a full, clear, 'and exact specification.

My invention relates to a new or improved photographic-print Washer.

In carrying my invention into practice I provide a basin or Vessel furnished with a false bottom, which may be either removably attached or integral therewith. Said false bottom may be perforated, so as to allow the water laden with chemicals to drain through to the bottom of the basin or vessel, from whence it may be drawn off by the aid of a Siphon or other suitable arrangement. In my invention I employ a core around which the water is caused to circulate. Such core may be of cylindrical,- conical, or other approved order or shape and may be removably or permanently attached to' any convenient portion of the basin or vessel or false bottom, as desired. It may also receive or form the short end of the siphon, if such be used. In perforating the aforesaid false bottom I prefer to set out such perforations in the lform of a spiral or set of two or more spirals.

As a modification of my invention I may employ the core and false bottom in conjunction with any ordinary householdutensil.

Referring to the annexed drawings, Figure l is a sectional side view of my invention; Fig. 2, a plan view of same; Fig. 3, a view of under side of false bottom.V

|Ihe vessel a contains the false bottom h, which is perforated, as shown, and provided with the cylinder c', the perforations being, preferably, of helical design'.

c is a core which may be iixed or movably fitted into the cylinder c' and inclosing the exhaust-pipe d, as shown.

With my system of placing a core or column c in the center of the vessel used for this purpose I destroy the vortex that would otherwise result from the swirl of the water, and in thus destroying this vortex I canse the water to revolve in a continuous stream,

the water-supply e being arranged so as to deliver the water at a tangentv and start its circular motion, thereby causing the prints or ilms to be carried around with a swing, which would not take place were there nothing in the center of the vessel, for the prints or films would in that case be naturally attracted toward the vortex and held there in a mass by the force of what is commonly called suction. Now in the case with my system centrifugal force is broughtv into action, thisv force bringing about a constant change of position in the prints or iilms, as those thrown to the outer edge of the stream are caused to travel at a much greater speed than those near the center, the dierent streamline movements varying in speed according to their relative position in the radial plane. I further .employ this core or column as a means of carrying off the water laden with hypo. When the water in vessel a has risen above the level of the end d of the pipe d, it will naturally overflow through same pipe Gland carry off the hypo precipitated to the bottom 'L' of the vessel a. Thus it is perfectly automatic, as the vessel twill no t empty when in action, nor will the contents run over the outer rim of the Vessel a, the water maintaining a constant average level at all pressures and insuring a complete change of water in about ten minutes. By simply raising and depressing the core c siphonic action may be started and the water in the Vessel can be drained or the vessel may remain full, as desired.

If desired, I may also employ the device for washing photographic plates, for which purpose I reverse the false bottom b and annular projections e, formed on the under side of the false bottom b, the plates being held in position by engaging in the depressions or cut-out portions f thereof and the iiange h of the cylinder c', which is formed in like manner. The Water is supplied in any suitable manner, preferably in the center, in which case I may provide a suitable spray g. When thus used, the Water is kept rising and falling by siphonic action, which takes place when the level has risen to point d', when the contents of the vessel will be discharged, the plates being then subjected to the direct action of the fresh-water supply.

IOO

If desired, I may employ my invention in connection with any desired utensil used for analogous purposes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a photographic print and plate washer, the combination of a receptacle having a perforated false bottom to which is attached a central hollow core, a vertical tube projecting into and extending almost to the top of said hollow core and forming a siphon for emptying said receptacle, a short cylindrical projection, a series of circular projections on one side of said false bottom for holding the 15 plates to be Washed, and a spraying device at the top of said hollow core, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of zo February, 1901.

ALBERT VAN HOORN.

Witnesses:

FEED GoATER, CHARLES HERBERT BRIGGS. 

